Out & About | New England Events for July/August 2017

FEATURED SUMMER EVENTS

VERMONTStowflake Hot Air Balloon Festival | July 7–9

For more than 30 years, the flight of dozens of hot air balloons over Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa has been an annual tradition. Whether you take to the skies for a sunrise or sunset launch or stick to the ground and enjoy the scene, you’ll have a memorable day, thanks to good food, live music, a program of activities for the kids, and a beer and wine garden for the grown-ups. Stowe, VT. 802-253-7355; stoweflake.com

CONNECTICUT Litchfield Jazz Festival | Aug. 5–6

Come rain or shine, you’ll be swaying to the music as top-notch jazz acts hit the Goshen Fairgrounds stage. Between shows—which include the John Pizzarelli Quartet’s tribute to Frank Sinatra and Antônio Carlos Jobim—you can grab a snack from the array of food vendors or peruse the wares of more than two dozen artisans. Goshen, CT.860-361-6285; litchfieldjazzfest.com

MAINE Moxie Festival | July 7–9

Three full days can barely contain the “wicked cool” Moxie-fueled fun as Maine celebrates its unique soft drink. There’ll be plenty of Moxie available, of course, which you can sip as you listen to a concert in the park, stroll through a car show, or watch a parade. Look for recipe contests, a 5K race, a petting zoo, fireworks, and a Moxie chugging contest, too. Lisbon Falls, ME. 207-522-8697;moxiefestival.com

MASSACHUSETTS Marshfield Fair | Aug. 18–27

The first Marshfield Fair was held in 1867. That same year, Nebraska became the 37th state, the United States purchased the Alaska territory, and Harvard established the first dental school in the country. A lot has changed since 1867, but the fair remains largely the same, offering up a full slate of agricultural and horticultural demonstrations, crafts, rides, games, livestock contests, and a demolition derby at the Marshfield Fairgrounds. Marshfield, MA. 781-834-6629;marshfieldfair.org

NEW HAMPSHIREPemi Valley Bluegrass Festival | Aug. 2–5

Music rings from the mountains as a bevy of performers takes the stage at the Sugar Shack Campground. The award-winning Gibson Brothers are always a top attraction, and this year they’ll be joined by the Del McCoury Band, the Lonely Heartstring Band, Newfound Grass, and more. Workshops for both kids and adults are offered throughout. Thornton, NH. 603-239-2238; pemivalleybluegrass.com

RHODE ISLAND Rhode Island International Film Festival | Aug. 8–13

Held at locations throughout Newport and Providence, RIIFF showcases independent films with a week of gala celebrations, premieres, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies, making it the largest film festival in New England (and the only one in the region that qualifies films for Academy Award consideration). Providence and Newport, RI. 401-861-4445;film-festival.org

ADDITIONAL SUMMER EVENTS

Connecticut

JULY 4: MYSTIC, Independence Day Celebration. The day kicks off with boat races on the river and military exercises by the 26th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on the village green. The midday parade is followed by a concert, a spelling bee, games, theatrical performances, and more. 860-572-0711; mysticseaport.org

JULY 7–9: NEW LONDON, Sailfest. Attracting more than 300,000 people each year, Sailfest is one of the state’s premier summer events, complete with rides, fireworks, artisans, vendors, and a varied entertainment lineup, all of which play second fiddle to the stars of the show: tall ships. 860-444-1879; sailfest.org

JULY 15: EAST LYME, Celebrate East Lyme Street Festival. A mile of Niantic’s Main Street will be closed off to auto traffic to make way for this celebration by the sea, featuring food, fun, an eclectic mix of vendors, live music and performances, and a spectacular fireworks show over Niantic Bay. 860-739-6931; celebrateeastlyme.com

JULY 15–16: WESTPORT, Fine Arts Festival. Downtown along the Saugatuck River you’ll find paintings, jewelry, fiber arts, photography, and so on by more than 150 juried artists and artisans. Live music and street performances keep things lively. 203-505-8716; westportfineartsfestival.com

AUG. 10–13: NORWICH, Podunk Music Festival. Dodd Stadium plays host to some of the world’s finest bluegrass musicians, a group that this year includes the Gibson Brothers, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, and the Boxcars. Free workshops throughout the weekend, jam sessions, and open stage time between acts guarantee at least a few surprises. 860-987-7744; podunkbluegrass.net

AUG. 11–13: LEBANON, Lebanon Country Fair. Now in its 58th year, this old-style community event returns to the fairgrounds on Mack Road with music, exhibitions, games, and kids’ activities, all sponsored by the local Lions Club. 860-642-6012;lebanoncountryfair.org

AUG. 19: HARTFORD, Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival. The Hartford riverfront is widely recognized as one of the premier dragon boat venues in the country, with more than 80 teams expected to compete this year amid two full days of authentic Asian entertainment. dragonboathartford.com

AUG. 19: MILFORD, Milford Oyster Festival. Celebrate the town’s seafood legacy with a variety of oysters being served and sold, a shucking contest, and live music on the Fowler Park stage. Headliners have included Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas, and the Marshall Tucker Band. 203-878-5363;milfordoysterfestival.com

AUG. 24–27: BROOKLYN, Brooklyn Fair. The food, the animals, the midway, the entertainment, the crafts, the contests—it’s all here at the area’s oldest agricultural festival, so bring the family. 860-779-0012;brooklynfair.org

Maine

JULY 9: PORTLAND, Hidden Gardens of Munjoy Hill. Unusual little gardens are the stars of this walking tour of the Munjoy Hill section of Portland, but plan to set aside time to stroll the Olmsted-designed gardens of Eastern Promenade Park, too. easternpromenade.org

JULY 14–16: BELFAST, Maine Celtic Celebration. Scottish bagpipes, Highland games, a Celtic dog show, a road race, and a wacky “cheese rolling” contest are just a few of the highlights of this family-friendly festival on the waterfront. mainecelticcelebration.com

JULY 14–23: WATERVILLE, Maine International Film Festival. Representing the best of independent and international cinema, this 10-day festival showcases nearly 100 films by innovative filmmakers from New England and beyond. 207-861-8138;miff.org

JULY 21–23: YARMOUTH, Yarmouth Clam Festival. Now in its 52nd year and still going strong, this weekend of fun includes a parade, fireworks, arts and crafts, road races, competitions, raffles, and plenty of clams and other great food, with proceeds going to local nonprofits. 207-846-3984;clamfestival.com

JULY 27–29: AUGUSTA, Maine Quilts. More than 500 contemporary and antique quilts will be on display, with competitions, lectures, demonstrations, and more scheduled throughout the weekend. 207-216-7358; mainequilts.org

JULY 28–29: RANGELEY, Logging Festival and Parade. Sit down to an authentic Maine bean-hole dinner, cheer a parade down Main Street, view logging horse demonstrations, tour logging exhibits, and marvel at the skills on display at the Maine Forestry Museum Fairgrounds. 207-864-3939; rlrlm.org

JULY 28–AUG. 6: BANGOR, Bangor State Fair. Bass Park plays host to one of the state’s largest fairs, featuring agricultural competitions, a dog show, livestock shows, and horse judging, as well as midway rides and games, crafts, and a flower show. bangorstatefair.com

AUG. 2–6: ROCKLAND, Maine Lobster Festival. Harbor Park is the headquarters for five days of feasting and fun. More than 20,000 pounds of lobster will be consumed, so come ready to do your part. In between feasts, there’s a “sea goddess” coronation, a parade, and live entertainment, along with Navy ship tours, cooking contests, and a craft show. 800-576-7512;mainelobsterfestival.com

AUG. 4–6: UNION, Maine Antiques Festival. The state’s largest antiques festival, featuring more than 200 dealers at Union Fairgrounds, is the place to discover jewelry, maps, folk art, furnishings, ceramics, paintings, and more. 207-221-3108; maineantiquesfestival.com

AUG. 11–13: ROCKLAND,MaineBoats, Homes & Harbors Show. Head on down to Harbor Park and Buoy Park to see the work of some of the state’s finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, crafters, designers, furniture makers, and marine gear vendors, as well as 70-plus boats in the water. Also on tap: live music, kids’ events, fine food, and the running of the World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials. maineboats.com

AUG. 18–20: LEWISTON/AUBURN, Great Falls Balloon Festival. Since 1992, this split-campus fund-raising event (at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston and Festival Plaza in Auburn) has created opportunities for visitors to enjoy amusement rides and games and then support good causes while taking to the skies in one of several dozen hot air balloons. 207-240-5931; greatfallsballoonfestival.org

Massachusetts

JUNE 27–AUG. 20: WILLIAMSTOWN, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Enjoy Tony-winning productions in a beautiful small-town setting. This season’s lineup includes The Roommate, The Clean House, A Legendary Romance, The Model American, and Where Storms Are Born. 413-458-3200; wtfestival.org

JUNE 30–JULY 4: BOSTON, Boston Harborfest. Highlighting Boston’s role in our nation’s founding, this is America’s biggest birthday bash. Events on the waterfront and downtown include a concert series and chowder festival, children’s activities, walking tours, lectures, reenactments, and a dazzling fireworks show. 617-439-7700; bostonharborfest.com

JULY 3–4: LENOX, James Taylor. The beloved and influential songwriter and his All-Star Band take to the stage at Tanglewood for the 25th time, with a two-night serving of favorite songs. The July 4 show will be followed by a fireworks display. 617-266-1492;bso.org

JULY 11–16: BRIMFIELD, Brimfield Antique Show. The largest outdoor antiques show in the Northeast attracts more than 6,000 dealers selling their wares on a mile-long stretch of Route 20. brimfieldshow.com

JULY 14–16: GREENFIELD, Green River Festival. This three-day musical event at Greenfield Community College features the Mavericks, Pokey LaFarge, Chicano Batman, and more. Top it off with local food, beer and wine, a craft fair, and hot air balloons, and lots of games and activities, and you have the makings of a great weekend. 413-341-5995; greenriverfestival.com

JULY 29–AUG. 5: WOODS HOLE, Woods Hole Film Festival. This eight-day showcase of independent film features daily screenings, workshops, panel discussions, staged readings, and special events. 508-495-3456; woodsholefilmfestival.org

AUG. 3–6: NEW BEDFORD, Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. Billed as the world’s largest Portuguese feast, this celebration at Madeira Field serves up Portuguese and American fare, live music and entertainment, games, carnival rides, and the largest parade in New Bedford. 508-992-6911; portuguesefeast.com

AUG. 24–27: BOSTON, St. Anthony’s Feast. Stroll the colorfully decorated streets of the North End while sampling the wares of nearly 100 pushcart vendors. Italian-style sausage (with peppers and onions), quahogs, calamari, pizza, pasta, zeppole, cannoli, and gelato will be among the offerings, with parades, strolling singers, live entertainment, and contests thrown in to aid your digestion. 617-723-8669; stanthonysfeast.com

AUG. 26–27: SALEM, Antique and Classic Boat Festival. Vintage motor yachts and sailboats go on display at Brewer Hawthorne Cove Marina. Tour the vessels, meet the crews, and spend time browsing the crafts market or enjoying the live music—and don’t miss the boat parade on Sunday. 617-666-8530; boatfestival.org

New Hampshire

JULY 6–9: HILLSBOROUGH, Hillsborough Balloon Festival and Fair. In the mood for a high-flying adventure? Take to the skies over Grimes Field, or enjoy the craft show, parade, and fireworks from ground level. balloonfestival.org

JULY 15: EXETER, American Independence Festival. View a rare original printing of the Declaration of Independence, listen to a dramatic reading at the American Independence Museum, then step to the beat of fife and drum while enjoying an arts and crafts sale, kids’ activities, fine food, and more. 603-772-2622; independencemuseum.org

JULY 20–23: STRATHAM, Stratham Fair. Stratham Hill Park provides the setting for this long-running county fair. Among the attractions are live entertainment, 4-H exhibits and competitions, midway rides, and the crowning of Miss Stratham Fair. 603-772-4977; strathamfair.com

JULY 21–23: FRANCONIA, The Frost Place Anniversary Weekend. Poetry lovers everywhere are invited to come help this museum and arts center, created from the home where Robert Frost lived and worked 100 years ago, mark its 40th anniversary with free readings by poets Charles Simic and Nikky Finney, a performance by Gordon Clapp (NYPD Blue), and a Frost read-a-thon. frostplace.org

AUG. 5–13: NEWBURY, League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair. Mount Sunapee Resort hosts the works of juried artists at more than 200 exhibit booths, as well as demonstrations, interactive activities, music, and a variety of food vendors. 603-224-3375; nhcrafts.org

AUG. 10–12: MANCHESTER, New Hampshire Antiques Show. Explore the finds of more than 60 dealers, displayed in “rooms” at the Radisson Hotel’s exhibition space. Expect country and formal furniture, clocks, folk art, paintings and prints, textiles, glassware, ceramics, and more. nhada.org

AUG. 13: PETERBOROUGH, MacDowell Colony Medal Day. The nation’s oldest artists’ colony opens to the public for just one day each year. Tour studios and meet artists in residence, picnic on the grounds, and celebrate the work of filmmaker David Lynch, this year’s recipient of the Edward MacDowell Medal for achievement in the arts. 603-924-3886; macdowellcolony.org

Rhode Island

JULY 8–9: WICKFORD, Wickford Art Festival. The tree-lined streets of the downtown area are filled with 200 fine artisans exhibiting their work during this annual event. 401-294-6840;wickfordart.org

JULY 21–23: KINGSTON, South County Hot Air Balloon Fest. More than a dozen hot air balloons at the University of Rhode Island athletic fields will take to the sky at this community gathering, which also has food, live entertainment, and kids’ activities. southcountyballoonfest.com

JULY 23: LINCOLN, Hearthside House Celebrates the 1904 World’s Fair. Enjoy a Hearthside House tour presented by guides in period costume, an exhibit of images of the 1904 fair (including the Rhode Island building, which was modeled after Hearthside), and food and music authentic to the time of the fair. 401-726-0597; hearthsidehouse.org

JULY 26–AUG. 13: WESTERLY, Shakespeare in the Park. The Bard’s comedic Twelfth Night is sure to provide an evening of laughs in lovely Wilcox Park. Bring a blanket and settle in under the stars for this free event. 401-596-7909; thecolonialtheater.org

AUG. 5: WESTERLY/PAWCATUCK, River Glow. Take part in hayrides through downtown and enjoy live music in three locations as 37 floating bonfires illuminate the Pawcatuck River. 401-596-7761; westerlychamber.org

AUG. 16–20: RICHMOND, Washington County Fair. The state’s largest agricultural fair presents concerts, a giant midway, horse and tractor pulls, arts and crafts displays, and a farm museum at the county fairgrounds. 401-539-7042; washingtoncountyfair-ri.com

AUG. 18–20: PAWTUCKET, Grecian Festival. From the Greek Pride dancers and the Greek agora (marketplace) to the traditional pastries and kafenio (café), this celebration of all things Greek at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church is still getting better, nearly a century on. assumptionri.org/GreekFestRI/index.htm

Vermont

JULY 4: WOODSTOCK, Old Vermont 4th. Celebrate our nation’s day of independence at Billings Farm and Museum, where the patriotic fun will include the reading of the Declaration of Independence, reenactments of historic debates, wagon rides, 1890-style flag making, spelling bees, and an egg toss. 802-457-2355; billingsfarm.org

JULY 6–9: BRANDON, Basin Bluegrass Festival. Bluegrass pickin’ and the rolling green hills of Vermont just go together. Secure a day or weekend ticket, bring the family, and immerse yourself in music on Basin Road. basinbluegrassfestival.com

JULY 8: CRAFTSBURY, Antiques and Uniques Festival. More than 100 vendors take to the town common as music plays, antique cars cruise by, specialty foods are served, and roaming buskers add to the ambience. townofcraftsbury.com/antiques-uniques

JULY 16: SHELBURNE, Vermont Cheesemakers Festival. With more cheesemakers per capita than any other state, Vermont knows good fromage. That accumulated expertise makes this one of the season’s can’t-miss events. Sample local cheeses and meet their makers at Shelburne Farms, on the shores of Lake Champlain. 866-261-8595; vtcheesefest.com

JULY 27–30: BURLINGTON, Lake Champlain Maritime Festival. Live music, paddleboard rides, an antique boat show, a 5K run/walk, a craft sale, international food offerings, and kids’ exhibits all combine to make the Lake Champlain waterfront the place to be during this annual salute to summer. 802-482-3313; lcmfestival.com

JULY 28–30: WOODSTOCK, Bookstock. Meet established and emerging writers as they present their work in intimate venues throughout the village center, then load up at the used and vintage book sale, enjoy some good food, and listen to live music on the town green. bookstockvt.org

JULY 28–AUG. 6: DEERFIELD VALLEY, Blueberry Festival. The days are filled with all manner of blueberry-inspired activities at this annual fest, including block parties, a blue-eyes contest, blueberry foods, blueberry bingo, a pajama party in the blueberry field, the Blueberry Ball, and a pie eating contest, held at venues throughout the valley. 802-464-8092; vermontblueberry.com

AUG. 4–6: BENNINGTON, Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival. Part of Bennington’s Arts Weekend, this is a veritable feast of handmade crafts, original art, live music, and gourmet food offerings, plus a wine and craft beer tent, all at Camelot Village. 802-425-3399; craftproducers.com

AUG. 25–SEP. 3: ESSEX JUNCTION, Champlain Valley Fair. Celebrate agriculture and much, much more at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds. Highlights include circus acts, vendor booths, gardening exhibits, great food, blue-ribbon competitions, livestock shows, and concerts (this year’s headliners are John Mellencamp and TLC). 802-878-5545; cvexpo.org